'''Police''' (a term dervived from refers to an institution of government employing personnel to enforce law and maintain civil order and peace. An individual employed in said functions is known as a '''police officer''', '''constable''' or (in less-enlightened areas and by less-enlightened people) a policeman or policewoman. While police officers typically wear [[uniform]]s and are armed to some degree, police are distinct from the military.

+

'''Police''' are an institution of government that employs personnel to enforce law and maintain civil order and peace. An individual employed in such an organization is known as a '''police officer''', '''constable''', or (in less-enlightened areas and by less-enlightened people) a policeman or policewoman. While police officers typically wear [[uniform]]s and are armed to some degree, police are distinct from the military.

−

Modern Police forces include various bodies to perform different tasks. These include general beat cops, plain clothes detectives and deep cover agents, traffic patrols, forensic divisions including Crime Scene Investigations units and forensic accountants, airborne divisions using helicopters and various heavily armed rapid response teams.

Police developed as urban societies developed. [[China]] and ancient [[Roman Empire|Rome]] both developed professional law enforcement institutions. In Europe during the Middle Ages up to the [[Age of Enlightenment]], law enforcement was usually handled by informal means. Modern police forces began to appear around the 19th century.

Police developed as urban societies developed. [[China]] and ancient [[Roman Empire|Rome]] both developed professional law enforcement institutions. In Europe during the Middle Ages up to the [[Age of Enlightenment]], law enforcement was usually handled by informal means. Modern police forces began to appear around the 19th century.

Line 11:

Line 11:

* ''Judge Dredd'' combines law enforcement with judicial authority.

* ''Judge Dredd'' combines law enforcement with judicial authority.

* ''Ghost in the Shell'' focuses on Section 9, an advanced law enforcement body handling cyber crime and terrorism.

* ''Ghost in the Shell'' focuses on Section 9, an advanced law enforcement body handling cyber crime and terrorism.

−

* In ''Discworld'' several books focus on the Ankh Morpork City Watch, a developing Police Force handling the day to day law enforcement in a city

+

* In ''Discworld'' several books focus on the Ankh Morpork City Watch, a developing police force handling the day to day law enforcement in a city.

+

* Simon R. Green's Hawk & Fisher books are based on the activities of the Watch in a fantasy city.

+

[[Category: Politics]]

[[Category: Politics]]

Revision as of 15:39, 2 November 2012

Police are an institution of government that employs personnel to enforce law and maintain civil order and peace. An individual employed in such an organization is known as a police officer, constable, or (in less-enlightened areas and by less-enlightened people) a policeman or policewoman. While police officers typically wear uniforms and are armed to some degree, police are distinct from the military.

Police developed as urban societies developed. China and ancient Rome both developed professional law enforcement institutions. In Europe during the Middle Ages up to the Age of Enlightenment, law enforcement was usually handled by informal means. Modern police forces began to appear around the 19th century.

Police in Science Fiction and Fantasy

Futuristic police forces often appear in science fiction, and some stories are built around technological or social developments in law enforcement.